• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER » Is It Really About Being the Better Public Speaker?

03/06/2015 By Kelly Swanson

Is It Really About Being the Better Public Speaker?

Last updated on January 22nd, 2019 at 02:09 pm

Is It Really About Being the Better Professional Speaker? Kelly Swanson connecting as a motivational speaker

It’s not about being a better public speaker–it’s about connecting to your audience.

Yes, it’s true that in order to get booked as a motivational speaker you need to be VERY GOOD at what you do. Maybe even better than very good.

It’s a crowded market and a new motivational speaker is born every minute. Being better than your competitors is a lofty goal – but it sure is hard to attain.

And clients have different definitions of what is “better” in a speaker. One size does not fit all in our industry. So while I think it’s admirable to strive to be better, I think there’s something else you should strive for more.

Strive to be REAL.

If I hear one thing over and over and over and over from my clients and audiences, it’s praise for being REAL–which makes me wonder–what is everybody else?

Fake?

What makes me real, and what makes them so surprised to see it?

Here is what I think is happening. I think that speakers decide to be speakers and they go out there and learn how to be speakers.  They craft and polish and perfect and plan the right move at the right time. They make their argument. They choose their slides. They perfect those points.

And what happens is that they get TOO polished. Too perfect. Too–well–fake.

And when a speaker becomes too polished, then the audience doesn’t connect because they can’t relate. That perfect poised polished speaker becomes just another talking head.

Not their friend.
Is It Really About Being the Better Professional Speaker? Motivational Speaker Kelly Swanson on getting real
Being a good motivational speaker is not about impressing an audience–it’s about connecting with them. Forming a bond. Finding common ground.

Getting to know them PERSONALLY.

People do business with people they LIKE. It’s not our content that makes them like us.

It’s US.

While we WANT them to take our message and bury it into their hearts – we also want them to take US with them and bury the experience in their hearts.

So how do we get real with our audience?

Here are 8 tips to help you in being a better public speaker and connecting more with your audience:

1. Tell personal stories. Pretend you’re meeting them for the first time – like at a cocktail party – and you’re just making small talk.

2. Tell them why this content of yours means so much to you. How does this truth affect your life personally?

3. Come off script every once in a while and say what you’re thinking. As long as it’s appropriate.

4. Meet them before the show. Walk around. Make friends.

5. Show them pictures of your kids, or your dog, or the new garden you just made.

6. Share your insecurities and quirks and weaknesses.

7. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t have all the answers.

8. Make fun of yourself.

Kelly Swanson
You. Your Story. Make an Impact.

[fbcomments]

Kelly Swanson
Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, motivational speaker, published author and TV personality who is passionate about helping women harness the power of their stories to connect, influence, and get the results they dream of accomplishing. Laughing the whole way, Kelly teaches women how to master the art of connection through the power of strategic storytelling. You can find her on The Fashion Hero show airing Fall of 2017 on Amazon Prime or on her website MotivationalSpeakerKellySwanson.com.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and 8WD or Kelly will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Related Stories:

  • To Become a Better Photographer Become a Better PersonTo Become a Better Photographer Become a Better Person
  • Will Better Food Labels Help You Eat Better?Will Better Food Labels Help You Eat Better?
  • Wait: This Really is About Being Successful Online - Not My Family VacationWait: This Really is About Being Successful Online -…
  • Public Speaking Dreams: Be A Better Story TellerPublic Speaking Dreams: Be A Better Story Teller
Tell your friends!

Filed Under: BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« International Women’s Day – What Will You be Doing to Honor the Dreams of Women?
8 Women Memorials to Visit on International Women’s Day »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream
  • 6 Tips to Avoid Get Rich Quick Scams as a Public Speaker
  • A Dream to Spread MLK’s Message of Love
  • Best Goal Setting Advice that Actually Works
  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • It’s Never Too Late to Dust Off Your Dreams
Catherine Hughes on Dealspotr
Catherine Hughes
@8WomenDream
Let’s collaborate
Powered by Dealspotr

Looking for more?

8 Women Dream Products8WD Founder Catherine HughesActivist Lisa Powell GrahamArtist Iman WoodsArtist Sue Faith LevyAuthor Karen AlanizAuthor Rayne WolfeBig Dream InterviewsDream Big Guest ContributorsFind Your DreamFind Your Passion and PurposeHealth Coach Heather MontgomeryInspirational QuotesMotivational Speaker Kelly SwansonSuccessful Goal SettingWorld Traveler Natasha von GeldernWrite A Book

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

Categories

  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • WRITE WITH US

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright 8 Women Dream All Rights Reserved © 2020 • ADVERTISE ON 8WD • LEGAL/TERMS/PRIVACY • SITE DEVELOPMENT BY CATHERINE HUGHES

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.